Film maker, photographer and all round great guy, Mikey Trotter is working on a project aimed at reducing the stigma faced by those living with HIV. The screen shot above is not something I’ve had to deal with but is a very common situation for someone with HIV. A close friend who was diagnosed last year told me that the rejection is the part of being diagnosed that he struggles with the most.

If you read Mikey’s post he refers to a study undertaken recently on nearly three hundred couples where one is positive and the other is negative and the HIV+ partner is on medication, reducing their viral load to undetectable levels. Over a one year period not one of the negative partners, even through unsafe sex practices contracted HIV. Medication works when it’s taken properly and there is no need to fear those people who are positive. Mikey is looking for people to take part in a documentary about HIV and the stigma faced by those with it.

No one is advocating having unsafe sex and taking unnecessary risks. My position on sex with HIV+ men has evolved over the last few years as my own education on the subject has grown. I used to be terrified of the idea, now I’m not. “Bug chasers” and “Gift givers” make me absolutely furious. Why glamorise a disease that can still kill if untreated and has killed hundreds of thousands, if not millions? But there is no reason to demonise people with HIV or exclude them as a potential partner.

If you fit the criteria that Mikey is looking for then I suggest you get in touch. Mikey’s work is fantastic and I know the documentary will be educational for everyone.

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I’m sorry to say I am one of those who whilst I don’t have a social judgement about people with HiV (I refuse to use the term ‘suffering from’ because I know that they are not), I do actively choose not to have sex with pos people. I always state my status and uncompromising stance regarding always participating in safe sex, but for now, I don’t feel as though I am relaxed about the issue enough to be able to enjoy sex knowing that it is there. I guess I need to talk more with people who are living with… Read more »

When it comes down to it. They’re a stranger and while they maybe honest about saying they’re HIV+ that doesn’t mean you can trust them to say they’re on medication and “undetectable” anymore than you can trust them to say they’re VGL and 8″ It’s always best to protect yourself and if you aren’t comfortable playing with a loaded gun, even with the safety on, then you shouldn’t be stigmatized for saying ‘no thanks’ anymore than someone with HIV should be stigmatized.

Marc
Then by your logic you shouldn’t be having sex with guys who tell you they are neg because they might be lying, Face it, everyone is a potential loaded gun and stop living with a false sense of security because you only have sex with neg guys.